Fort Pierce approves $723,850 in police blanket purchase orders; deputy chief defends vendor choices
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
The City Commission approved $723,850 in blanket purchase orders for the police department for FY 2025–26. Commissioners probed vendor selection and line-item details; staff said some services require out‑of‑city suppliers and outlined major line items including uniforms, mobile services, ammunition, and crime-lab costs.
The Fort Pierce City Commission voted unanimously Nov. 3 to approve blanket purchase orders for the police department totaling $723,850 for fiscal year 2025–26.
Commissioner Broderick pulled the item to request details for the public after noting the size of the expenditure. The deputy chief explained the largest line items and vendor choices, saying, “Daydreams uniforms … that's a $70,000 expenditure” and that the department returned to Daydreams after quality problems with a prior Orlando supplier. The deputy chief described other major line items as mobile communications (AT&T Mobility), the citywide phone system (SunCom), bulk ammunition from a licensed vendor (Florida Bullet), evidence processing at the Indian River crime lab, and a shared countywide computer/9‑1‑1 system. He said the department aims to piggyback or share services where feasible to maintain compatibility with city systems.
Broderick asked whether the department had sought Fort Pierce vendors for uniform services; the deputy chief replied, “Actually, there are no Fort Pierce vendors for uniform requisitions of that large number that we need.” He said Daydreams provided on‑site fitting and reliable service, which the department weighed against lower prices from distant suppliers that required repeated returns and additional officer travel.
Commissioners and staff emphasized shared regional systems for 9‑1‑1 dispatch, crime lab services and mobile communications. Commissioner Broderick praised the EOC/dispatch operation during discussion, saying the shared system provides first responders with coordinated service and faster response. The roll call vote on the motion was all yes.